A comfortable night for Newcastle United and vital win, as we didn’t have to get out of third gear to beat an awful Leicester side 3-0.
Here are our marks out of 10 and comments on each player involved at the King Power Stadium:
Pope (7) – Wasn’t the busiest night but had to be sharp to turn away a couple of shots. Very welcome clean sheet; our second on the spin away from home.
Trippier (7) – Very comfortable night in defence and was his usual tidy self on the ball. No surprise to see an upturn in defensive solidity coinciding with his return to the team.
Schar (7.5) – Very nearly scored from his own half with a typically audacious effort! Celebrated his new contract with a very good performance
Burn (7) – Rarely troubled against an ageing Vardy. Won’t have many easier games than this.
Livramento (8.5) – Has really grown into the left back role and has shown an ability to use his left foot! Great ball across the box for the opening goal and was a constant threat with his marauding runs.
Tonali (7.5) – Hard to think he wasn’t a regular starter earlier in the season! Composure and intelligence shines through on the pitch. Very rarely gets caught out of position and shone late on with three vital ball recoveries to stop Leicester running at our back line. Instills confidence in those around him
Guimaraes (6.5) – Wasn’t at his best but didn’t need to be. Given a rest after an hour to preserve him for much bigger tests.
Joelinton (7) – Typically all action performance and another who was given a rest, likely to protect him from a suspension.
Murphy (8) – A brace for a player who is playing with so much confidence. Anticipation for the second goal typifies the type of enthusiasm he brings to every performance, as did his arrival for his early opener.
Barnes (7.5) – Couldn’t do too much more to lock down that left wing position in the absence of Anthony Gordon. Scored a goal and was a threat throughout. Didn’t look as good down the right but was
Isak (6) – Wasn’t at the races today, with a few loose passes and two efforts flashed wide. Definitely didn’t look 100% and was caught looking at the bench on more than one occasion.
Miley (6) – Valuable minutes in a game that was already won.
Longstaff (5) – Game was over as a contest but good to get him some minutes. A few loose touches summed up his lack of minutes
Wilson (5) – Won a couple of duels, but does look a bit clunky and lacking sharpness.
Osula (5) – Given 20 minutes to impress but failed to stamp his authority on the game
Krafth (NR) – On for Trippier for the final 10 minutes.